Philly's radio talker Howard Eskin stepping down

Howard Eskin, the bearded bad boy of Philadelphia's sports-talk radio who in 25 years as WIP's successful drive-time host has ruffled feathers, broken stories and infuriated as well as delighted listeners, will be relinquishing his show after Sept. 2.

In making the announcement midway through Monday's show, a frequently emotional Eskin insisted the decision was his alone and was unrelated to increased competition from a second Philly sports-talk station, 97.5 The Fanatic, which broadcasts on both the FM and AM (950) bands.

"A few months ago I started to think that it was time," Eskin said. "I approached our program director Andy Bloom and we agreed on a new contract that would give me freedom to pursue some of the national opportunities I've dabbled in over the last couple years while still having a role here at WIP."

Bloom confirmed that the change was initiated by Eskin, who in 2009, after more than two controversial and successful decades of flying solo, was given a cohost, ex-Eagle Ike Reese. That move was widely perceived as a response to Mike Missanelli's successful afternoon challenge on 97.5.

"What Howard said is the absolute God's honest truth," Bloom said. "He came to me months back in the late spring and he brought this to me. I never went to him. Nobody from the station ever went to him with any sort of suggestion that anything should change. He came to us, to me specifically."

Eskin, whose show helped WIP transition to the then fledgling format in 1986, will continue to perform other duties for the city's pioneer sports-talk station.

"I will be giving up the 3-to-7 shift but will still continue as part of WIP, as part of Eagles broadcasts along with the pregame show and other shows and projects," he said. "To be clear, and I want to be clear about here, I am staying at WIP."

Eskin's announcement comes as 97.5, whose drive-show host, Missanelli, has feuded with the brash Northeast Philadelphia native when they shared an employer and since they've become afternoon rivals, has challenged WIP for the ears of Philly's rabid sports fans.

According to Arbitron ratings for July 2011, Missanelli's show, which is simulcast on AM and FM, had a 3.1 average quarterly hour share (246,600 average cumulative weekly audience) compared with Eskin's 1.4 share (171,200) among listeners ages 12 and older. The Fanatic's FM signal is potent; only about one-eighth of Missanelli's audience listened on AM.

Missanelli's show also led in the advertiser-friendly demo of 25- to 54-year-old men, with a 8.0 overall share compared to Eskin's 2.1.

The ratings for July 2010 showed the two shows virtually even in average cumulative audience.

According to Bloom, no decision has been made on "a new lineup" at WIP. But sources there indicated midday personality Anthony Gargano was the choice to assume the lucrative time slot.

"We aren't ready to announce [a new lineup] yet," Bloom said. "We're working on a few things. Howard will be in drive time at least through the end of the month."

Eskin, a graduate of Northeast High School who began his career as an engineer for WFIL-AM personality George Michaels, parlayed a fierce work-ethic into radio success.

More often than any electronic media personality in the city, he consistently provided listeners with inside information on the Philly sports teams he grew up adoring. He developed a particularly close relationship with Andy Reid and the Eagles, a link that earned him criticism from colleagues who accused him of being too cozy with a news subject.

But the city's fans have long had a love-hate relationship with Eskin.

While he developed a large and loyal following over the years, he often alienated listeners by disparaging those who disagreed with him as "morons" and "idiots."

He is, depending on your point of view, either an infuriating know-it-all or the hardest-working man in local sports radio. Always dressed in expensive clothes, and prone to ask edgy questions at news conferences, Eskin has long been a familiar presence at Philadelphia sports events. His longevity in essentially the same time slot has made him a rarity in the ratings-obsessed business.

"In America today, there aren't a lot of people who have done the same job for 25 years," said Bloom. "But in radio, to have the same job for 25 years, you can count the number of people who have that achievement on, if not one then two hands."

After becoming one of the first and certainly best-known sports-talk radio figures, Eskin took to television, as a weekend sports anchor on Fox29, NBC10 and CBS3.

He was a contributor to the Washington-based, nationally syndicated Sunday night sports roundup Michael hosted and recently has filled in for Dan Patrick on his national sports-talk show, which is simulcast on radio and TV.

"This was not an easy decision," Eskin said, his voice cracking, "but it's one I am clearly looking forward to. I've never had a bad day in my life and I mean it . . . this really is another great day in a terrific streak."

Asked what those other national opportunities are, Bloom did not get specific.

"I do know that he's had some," Bloom said.

While Eskin has broken many stories at the CBS-owned station and raised considerable money for local charities, he has also found himself at the center of several controversies, including his public feud with fellow WIP host Missanelli in 2003 and a postgame shouting match with Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who had been a frequent target.

He also was suspended for telling listeners that the Miss America Pageant was fixed and once suggested then-Flyers star Eric Lindros was providing tickets for reputed Philadelphia mob boss Joey Merlino, a claim both parties denied.

"Since the late 70s, Howard Eskin has had more impact on the Philadelphia sports landscape than anyone I know," Marc Rayfield, senior vice president and market manager for CBS Radio Philadelphia, said in a statement. "He is now, and will always be, an icon in this city."